Movie industry defies recession

Going to a movie isn’t cheap, especially for families that have to buy nine different kinds of candy, three jugs of soda and four tubs of butter-soaked popcorn.

But compared to taking a trip to the beach or going to a theme park, it’s a deal. Despite the recession, Hollywood is on pace for its first $10 billion year at the box office, with sales up 17 percent from last year, the largest growth since 2002.

But if the economic slowdown continues, people may turn from movies to at-home options.